The New York State Legislature approved a bill to ban offshore drilling Tuesday.

The bill amends the Environmental Conservation Law to prohibit offshore oil and gas production. It would prevent the state Department of Environmental Conservation from leasing state-owned underwater coastal areas for drilling and also stop the Office of General Services from authorizing leases that would increase oil or natural gas production in federal waters. READ

After a presentation Thursday from Oceana, an international ocean conservation advocacy group, Riverhead Town officials are contemplating passing a “sense” resolution to oppose a federal offshore drilling plan.

“Some of the towns on the East End are adopting a sense resolution,” said Supervisor Laura Jens-Smith, adding that she felt it was important for the board to be informed if it’s something they move forward with. READ

Congressman Lee Zeldin was joined by other East End officials for a press conference Friday denouncing the U.S. Department of the Interior’s plan to make 90 percent of the nation’s outer continental shelf open to oil and gas drilling. READ